Patent application title: System and method for providing a lacrosse stick mesh

Abstract:

A lacrosse stick mesh is disclosed in which each aperture of the mesh has
the form of an extended diamond shape. The extended diamond shape of each
aperture has a greater length in a vertical direction than in a
horizontal direction. The vertical direction is the direction in which
the lacrosse ball is thrown from the pocket of the lacrosse stick mesh.
The lacrosse stick mesh has more surface area that is in contact with a
lacrosse ball in the vertical direction when the lacrosse ball is in the
mesh pocket. When a player swings the lacrosse stick to impart force to
the lacrosse ball and throws the lacrosse ball from the mesh pocket, more
of the force is imparted to the ball in the vertical direction by the
lacrosse stick mesh than would be imparted if the lacrosse stick mesh
were formed having prior art aperture shapes.

Claims:

1. A lacrosse stick mesh comprising a network of mesh strings that form at
least one aperture that has an extended diamond shape.

2. The lacrosse stick mesh as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least
one aperture that has an extended diamond shape has a vertical length
that is greater than a horizontal length that is perpendicular to the
vertical length.

3. The lacrosse stick mesh as set forth in claim 2 wherein the at least
one aperture that has an extended diamond shape has a vertical length
that is fifty percent greater than the horizontal length that is
perpendicular to the vertical length.

4. The lacrosse stick mesh as set forth in claim 1 wherein the lacrosse
stick mesh comprises a network of mesh strings that form a plurality of
apertures wherein each aperture comprises an extended diamond shape.

5. The lacrosse stick mesh as set forth in claim 4 wherein the network of
mesh strings comprises a plurality of mesh strings that have a larger
vertical component aligned in a vertical direction in which a lacrosse
ball is thrown than a corresponding horizontal component aligned in a
horizontal direction that is perpendicular to the vertical direction.

6. The lacrosse stick mesh as set forth in claim 4 wherein the network of
mesh strings form:a first plurality of extended diamond shape apertures
wherein each aperture has a vertical length that is greater than a
horizontal length that is perpendicular to the vertical length and
wherein an extended portion of each extended diamond shape aperture
extends toward a bottom of the extended diamond shape; anda second
plurality of extended diamond shape apertures wherein each aperture has a
vertical length that is greater than a horizontal length that is
perpendicular to the vertical length and wherein an extended portion of
each extended diamond shape aperture extends toward a top of the extended
diamond shape.

7. The lacrosse stick mesh as set forth in claim 6wherein each aperture of
the first plurality of extended diamond shape apertures has a vertical
length that is fifty percent greater than a horizontal length that is
perpendicular to the vertical length; andwherein each aperture of the
second plurality of extended diamond shape apertures has a vertical
length that is fifty percent greater than a horizontal length that is
perpendicular to the vertical length.

8. The lacrosse stick mesh as set forth in claim 4 wherein the lacrosse
stick mesh comprises a plurality of vertical portions wherein mesh
strings in each vertical portion of the lacrosse stick mesh form a
plurality of apertures that have an extended diamond shape.

9. The lacrosse stick mesh as set forth in claim 4 wherein the lacrosse
stick mesh comprises a plurality of horizontal portions wherein mesh
strings in each horizontal portion of the lacrosse stick mesh form a
plurality of apertures that have an extended diamond shape.

10. A lacrosse stick head comprising a lacrosse stick mesh that comprises
a network of mesh strings that form at least one aperture that has an
extended diamond shape.

11. The lacrosse stick head as set forth in claim 10 wherein the lacrosse
stick mesh comprises at least one aperture that has an extended diamond
shape that has a vertical length that is greater than a horizontal length
that is perpendicular to the vertical length.

12. The lacrosse stick head as set forth in claim 11 wherein the lacrosse
stick mesh comprises at least one aperture that has an extended diamond
shape has a vertical length that is fifty percent greater than the
horizontal length that is perpendicular to the vertical length.

13. The lacrosse stick head as set forth in claim 10 wherein the lacrosse
stick mesh comprises a network of mesh strings that form a plurality of
apertures wherein each aperture comprises an extended diamond shape.

14. The lacrosse stick head as set forth in claim 13 wherein the network
of mesh strings of the lacrosse stick mesh comprises a plurality of mesh
strings that have a larger vertical component aligned in a vertical
direction in which a lacrosse ball is thrown than a corresponding
horizontal component aligned in a horizontal direction that is
perpendicular to the vertical direction.

15. The lacrosse stick head as set forth in claim 13 wherein the network
of mesh strings of the lacrosse stick mesh form:a first plurality of
extended diamond shape apertures wherein each aperture has a vertical
length that is greater than a horizontal length that is perpendicular to
the vertical length and wherein an extended portion of each extended
diamond shape aperture extends toward a bottom of the extended diamond
shape; anda second plurality of extended diamond shape apertures wherein
each aperture has a vertical length that is greater than a horizontal
length that is perpendicular to the vertical length and wherein an
extended portion of each extended diamond shape aperture extends toward a
top of the extended diamond shape.

16. The lacrosse stick head as set forth in claim 15wherein each aperture
of the first plurality of extended diamond shape apertures of the
lacrosse stick mesh has a vertical length that is fifty percent greater
than a horizontal length that is perpendicular to the vertical length;
andwherein each aperture of the second plurality of extended diamond
shape apertures of the lacrosse stick mesh has a vertical length that is
fifty percent greater than a horizontal length that is perpendicular to
the vertical length.

17. A method for manufacturing a lacrosse stick mesh, the method
comprising the steps of:forming a network of mesh strings; andforming at
least one aperture in the network of mesh strings that has an extended
diamond shape.

18. The method as set forth in claim 17 wherein the method further
comprises the step of:forming at least one aperture in the network of
mesh strings that has an extended diamond shape that has a vertical
length that is greater than a horizontal length that is perpendicular to
the vertical length.

19. The method as set forth in claim 18 wherein the at least one aperture
that has an extended diamond shape has a vertical length that is fifty
percent greater than the horizontal length that is perpendicular to the
vertical length.

20. The method as set forth in claim 17 wherein the method further
comprises the step of:forming a plurality of apertures in the network of
mesh strings wherein each aperture comprises an extended diamond shape.

21. The method as set forth in claim 20 wherein the method further
comprises the step of:forming in the network of mesh strings a plurality
of mesh strings that have a larger vertical component aligned in a
vertical direction in which a lacrosse ball is thrown than a
corresponding horizontal component aligned in a horizontal direction that
is perpendicular to the vertical direction.

22. The method as set forth in claim 20 wherein the method further
comprises the steps of:forming in the network of mesh strings a first
plurality of extended diamond shape apertures wherein each aperture has a
vertical length that is greater than a horizontal length that is
perpendicular to the vertical length and wherein an extended portion of
each extended diamond shape aperture extends toward a bottom of the
extended diamond shape; andforming in the network of mesh strings a
second plurality of extended diamond shape apertures wherein each
aperture has a vertical length that is greater than a horizontal length
that is perpendicular to the vertical length and wherein an extended
portion of each extended diamond shape aperture extends toward a top of
the extended diamond shape.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001]The present invention is generally directed to the manufacture of
lacrosse sticks and in particular, to a system and method for providing
an improved lacrosse stick mesh.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]Lacrosse is a team sport in which each player uses a netted stick
(referred to as a crosse) in order to pass and catch a hard rubber ball.
In a manner similar to the game of ice hockey, points are scored by
causing the ball to pass through the goal of the opposing team. Lacrosse
is also sometimes referred to as field hockey.

[0003]A lacrosse stick comprises a handle portion and a head portion. The
handle portion generally comprises an elongated stick that is usually
about three feet in length. The head portion of the lacrosse stick is
affixed to one end of the handle portion. The head portion comprises a
frame to which a flexible net or web is affixed. The flexible net is used
to catch, hold and throw a lacrosse ball. The flexible net of a lacrosse
stick is sometimes referred to as a mesh.

[0004]An example of a prior art lacrosse stick head 100 is illustrated in
FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, lacrosse stick head 100 comprises a lacrosse
stick head frame 105 that is composed of sidewalls 110, a scoop portion
120 and a base 130. The base 130 of the frame 105 is formed with portions
that receive one end of a lacrosse stick (not shown in FIG. 1). The frame
105 may be affixed to the lacrosse stick through the base 130. A side
view of the prior art lacrosse stick head 100 is shown in FIG. 2.

[0005]As shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2, a lacrosse stick mesh 140 is
attached to the portions of the lacrosse stick head frame 105. The string
portions of the lacrosse stick mesh 140 form a plurality of apertures 150
through the lacrosse stick mesh 140. As shown in FIG. 2, the lacrosse
stick mesh 140 has portions that extend below the level of the lacrosse
stick frame 150. As is well known, these portions of the lacrosse stick
mesh 140 form a pocket for catching and holding a lacrosse ball. A
lacrosse player throws the lacrosse ball out of the pocket by swinging
the lacrosse stick. As shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2, a prior art
lacrosse stick mesh 140 is usually formed with apertures 150 that have an
equilateral diamond shape.

[0006]The overall performance of a lacrosse stick may be improved by
selecting an optimum shape for the apertures in a lacrosse stick mesh.
There is therefore a need in the art for a system and method that is
capable of improving the performance of a lacrosse stick by providing an
improvement in the design of a lacrosse stick mesh.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007]To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, it is
a primary object of the present invention to provide an improvement in
the design of a lacrosse stick mesh.

[0008]An advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises a lacrosse
stick mesh in which each aperture of the mesh has the form of an extended
diamond shape. The extended diamond shape of each aperture has a greater
length in a vertical direction than in a horizontal direction. The
vertical direction is the direction in which the lacrosse ball is thrown
from the pocket of the lacrosse stick mesh. The lacrosse stick mesh of
the present invention has more surface area that is in contact with a
lacrosse ball in the vertical direction when the lacrosse ball is in the
mesh pocket. When a player swings the lacrosse stick to impart force to
the lacrosse ball and throws the lacrosse ball from the mesh pocket, more
of the force is imparted to the ball in the vertical direction by the
lacrosse stick mesh than would be imparted if the apertures of the
lacrosse stick mesh were formed having prior art aperture shapes.

[0009]The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical
advantages of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may
better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described
hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those
skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the
conception and the specific embodiment disclosed as a basis for modifying
or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the
present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such
equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the
invention in its broadest form.

[0010]Before undertaking the Detailed Description of the Invention below,
it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and
phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms "include" and
"comprise," as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without
limitation; the term "or," is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases
"associated with" and "associated therewith," as well as derivatives
thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with,
contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be
communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate
to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like.
Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this
patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand
that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior
uses, as well as future uses, of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]For a more complete understanding of the present invention and its
advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference
numerals represent like parts:

[0013]FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the exemplary prior art lacrosse
stick head shown in FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of an advantageous embodiment of a
lacrosse stick mesh constructed in accordance with the principles of the
present invention;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a photograph of an advantageous embodiment of a lacrosse
stick mesh that is constructed in accordance with the principles of the
lacrosse stick mesh that is illustrated in FIG. 3;

[0016]FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of an advantageous embodiment of a
lacrosse stick head that is constructed in accordance with the principles
of the lacrosse stick mesh that is illustrated in FIG. 3;

[0017]FIG. 6 illustrates an advantageous embodiment of a lacrosse stick
mesh in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and

[0018]FIG. 7 illustrates another advantageous embodiment of a lacrosse
stick mesh in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019]FIGS. 3 through 7 and the various embodiments used to describe the
principles of the present invention in this patent document are by way of
illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the
scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the
principles of the present invention may be implemented in any type of
suitably arranged lacrosse stick head. To simplify the drawings the
reference numerals from previous drawings will sometimes not be repeated
for structures that have already been identified.

[0020]FIG. 3 is a plan view of an advantageous embodiment of a lacrosse
stick mesh 300 constructed in accordance with the principles of the
present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, each aperture (310, 345) of the
mesh 300 has the form of an extended diamond shape. An extended diamond
shape is a diamond shape that has a greater length in a first direction
than in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0021]For example, consider the exemplary extended diamond shape 310 that
is shown in FIG. 3. The length 315 of the vertical direction of the
extended diamond shape 310 is greater than the length 320 of horizontal
direction of the extended diamond shape 310. In the exemplary extended
diamond shape 310 that is shown in FIG. 3 the length 315 of the vertical
direction is approximately fifty percent (50%) greater than the length
320 of the horizontal direction. For example, if the horizontal length
320 is eight (8) units in length, then the vertical length 315 is twelve
(12) units in length.

[0022]It is understood that the given example of a fifty percent (50%)
greater length is only one example of one advantageous embodiment of the
invention. It is understood that other values of dimension may also be
employed in other advantageous embodiments of the invention and that the
invention is not specifically limited to the fifty percent (50%) example
for the extended diamond shape 310.

[0023]Each extended diamond shape 310 in the mesh 300 is arranged so that
it is parallel to the other extended diamond shapes 310 in the mesh 300.
Each extended diamond shape 310 is formed by and bounded by four mesh
strings (325, 330, 335, 340). As shown in FIG. 3, the upper left mesh
string 325 of the extended diamond shape 310 extends from the left end of
the horizontal length 320 to the top end of the vertical length 315. The
upper right mesh string 330 extends from the right end of the horizontal
length 320 to the top end of the vertical length 315. The lower left mesh
string 335 of the extended diamond shape 310 extends from the left end of
the horizontal length 320 to the bottom end of the vertical length 315.
The lower right mesh string 340 extends from the right end of the
horizontal length 320 to the bottom end of the vertical length 315.

[0024]As shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the extended diamond shapes 310
in the mesh 300, there are also extended diamond shapes 345 in the mesh
300. The length 350 of the vertical direction of the extended diamond
shape 345 is greater than the length 355 of horizontal direction of the
extended diamond shape 345. In the exemplary extended diamond shape 345
that is shown in FIG. 3 the vertical length 350 is approximately fifty
percent (50%) greater than the horizontal length 355. For example, if the
horizontal length 355 is eight (8) units in length, then the vertical
length 350 is twelve (12) units in length.

[0025]As previously mentioned, it is understood that the given example of
a fifty percent (50%) greater length is only one example of one
advantageous embodiment of the invention. It is understood that other
values of dimension may also be employed in other advantageous
embodiments of the invention and that the invention is not specifically
limited to the fifty percent (50%) example for the extended diamond shape
345.

[0026]Each extended diamond shape 345 in the mesh 300 is arranged so that
it is parallel to the other extended diamond shapes 345 in the mesh 300.
Each extended diamond shape 345 is formed by and bounded by four mesh
strings (360, 365, 370, 375). As shown in FIG. 3, the upper left mesh
string 360 of the extended diamond shape 345 extends from the left end of
the horizontal length 355 to the top end of the vertical length 350. The
upper right mesh string 365 extends from the right end of the horizontal
length 355 to the top end of the vertical length 350. The lower left mesh
string 370 of the extended diamond shape 345 extends from the left end of
the horizontal length 355 to the bottom end of the vertical length 350.
The lower right mesh string 375 extends from the right end of the
horizontal length 350 to the bottom end of the vertical length 350.

[0027]As shown in FIG. 3, the extended diamond shapes 310 and the extended
diamond shapes 345 in the mesh 300 form a complementary set of extended
diamond shapes. The complementary set of extended diamond shapes provides
a mesh 300 that has apertures (310, 345) that have a greater dimension in
the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction

[0028]As shown in FIG. 3, the extended diamond shape apertures 310 form a
first plurality of extended diamond shape apertures 310 wherein each
aperture 310 has a vertical length 315 that is greater than a horizontal
length 320 that is perpendicular to the vertical length 315 and wherein
the extended portion of each extended diamond shape aperture 310 extends
toward the bottom of the extended diamond shape of aperture 310.

[0029]As also shown in FIG. 3, the extended diamond shape apertures 345
form a second plurality of extended diamond shape apertures 345 wherein
each aperture 345 has a vertical length 350 that is greater than a
horizontal length 355 that is perpendicular to the vertical length 350
and wherein the extended portion of each extended diamond shape aperture
345 extends toward the top of the extended diamond shape of aperture 345.

[0030]This feature provides more contact area between the lacrosse ball
and the mesh 300 in the vertical direction. The vertical direction is the
direction in which a lacrosse ball is thrown from the pocket that is
formed by the mesh 300. The mesh 300 comprises a plurality of mesh
strings (335, 340, 360, 365) that have a larger vertical component that
is in contact with a lacrosse ball in the vertical direction (when the
lacrosse ball is in the pocket that is formed by the mesh 300) than the
corresponding horizontal component. When the player swings the lacrosse
stick to impart force to the lacrosse ball and throws the lacrosse ball
from the pocket, more of the force is imparted to the ball in the
vertical direction by the mesh 300 than would be imparted if the
apertures of the mesh were formed having prior art aperture shapes.

[0031]FIG. 4 is a photograph of the advantageous embodiment of the
lacrosse stick mesh 300 that is constructed in accordance with the
principles of the lacrosse stick mesh 300 that is shown in FIG. 3. The
photograph in FIG. 4 shows that there are more mesh strings of the mesh
300 aligned in the vertical direction (the direction in which the
lacrosse ball is thrown) than in the horizontal direction. As previously
mentioned, this means that there is an increased area of the mesh 300
that is in contact with the lacrosse ball in the direction in which the
player will impart throwing force to the lacrosse ball.

[0032]FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of an advantageous embodiment of a
lacrosse stick head 500 that is constructed in accordance with the
principles of the lacrosse stick mesh 300 that is illustrated in FIG. 3.
Lacrosse stick head 500 of the invention comprises a lacrosse stick head
frame 505 that is composed of sidewalls 510, a scoop portion 520 and a
base 530. The base 530 of the frame 505 is formed with portions that
receive one end of a lacrosse stick (not shown in FIG. 5). The frame 505
may be affixed to the lacrosse stick through the base 530.

[0033]As shown in FIG. 5, the lacrosse stick mesh 300 is attached to the
portions of the lacrosse stick head frame 505. The string portions of the
lacrosse stick mesh 300 form a plurality of apertures (310, 345) through
the lacrosse stick mesh 300. As shown in FIG. 5, the lacrosse stick mesh
300 of the invention is formed with apertures (310, 345) that have an
extended diamond shape in accordance with the principles of the present
invention.

[0034]The present invention uses two mesh strings (325, 330) to form the
non-extended end of the apertures 310 and two mesh strings (370, 375) to
form the non-extended end of the apertures 345. It is understood that
three (or more) mesh strings could be used in place of the two mesh
strings. It is understood that the definition of an extended diamond
shape includes such modifications to form the apertures 310 and to form
the apertures 345.

[0035]FIG. 6 illustrates an advantageous embodiment of a lacrosse stick
mesh 600 in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The
lacrosse stick mesh 600 comprises three portions 610, 620 and 630. The
first portion 610 forms a central vertical portion of the lacrosse stick
mesh 600. As shown in FIG. 6, the first portion 610 comprises a lacrosse
stick mesh in which the string portions of the lacrosse stick mesh form a
plurality of apertures that have an extended diamond shape in the manner
that has been previously described.

[0036]The second portion 620 and the third portion 630 of the lacrosse
stick mesh 600 form a left edge vertical portion and a right edge
vertical portion, respectively, of the lacrosse stick mesh 600. As shown
in FIG. 6, the second portion 620 and the third portion 630 each comprise
a lacrosse stick mesh in which the string portions of the lacrosse stick
mesh form a plurality of apertures that have an extended diamond shape in
the manner that has been previously described.

[0037]The size of the apertures in the first portion 610 of the lacrosse
stick mesh 600 is smaller than the size of the apertures in the second
portion 620 and the third portion 630 of the lacrosse stick mesh 600. In
one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the size of the apertures
in the second portion 620 and the third portion 630 are twice the size of
the apertures in the first portion 610.

[0038]It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to this
specific example. It is understood that the size of the apertures in the
three portions (610, 620, 630) of the lacrosse stick mesh 600 may be
selected to have other dimensions as well. For example, the size of the
apertures in the second portion 620 and the third portion 630 may be
three times the size of the apertures in the first portion 610.

[0039]FIG. 7 illustrates another advantageous embodiment of a lacrosse
stick mesh 700 in accordance with the principles of the present
invention. The portion of the lacrosse stick mesh 700 that is shown in
FIG. 7 comprises portions 710, 720, 730 and 740. The first portion 710
forms a first horizontal portion of the lacrosse stick mesh 700. As shown
in FIG. 7, the first portion 710 comprises a lacrosse stick mesh in which
the string portions of the lacrosse stick mesh form a plurality of
apertures that have an extended diamond shape in the manner that has been
previously described.

[0040]The second portion 720 forms a second horizontal portion of the
lacrosse stick mesh 700. As shown in FIG. 7, the second portion 720
comprises a lacrosse stick mesh in which the string portions of the
lacrosse stick mesh form a plurality of apertures that have an extended
diamond shape in the manner that has been previously described.

[0041]The size of the apertures in the second portion 720 of the lacrosse
stick mesh 700 is larger than the size of the apertures in the first
portion 710 of the lacrosse stick mesh 700. In one advantageous
embodiment of the invention, the size of the apertures in the second
portion 720 are twice the size of the apertures in the first portion 710.

[0042]It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to this
specific example. It is understood that the size of the apertures in the
two portions (710, 720) of the lacrosse stick mesh 700 may be selected to
have other dimensions as well. For example, the size of the apertures in
the second portion 720 may be three times the size of the apertures in
the first portion 710.

[0043]The third portion 730 forms a third horizontal portion of the
lacrosse stick mesh 700. As shown in FIG. 7, the third portion 730
comprises a lacrosse stick mesh in which the string portions of the
lacrosse stick mesh form a plurality of apertures that have an extended
diamond shape in the manner that has been previously described.

[0044]The size of the apertures in the third portion 730 of the lacrosse
stick mesh 700 is smaller than the size of the apertures in the second
portion 720 of the lacrosse stick mesh 700. In one advantageous
embodiment of the invention, the size of the apertures in the third
portion 730 are one half of the size of the apertures in the second
portion 720. In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the size of
the apertures in the third portion 730 are equal to the size of the
apertures in the first portion 710.

[0045]The fourth portion 740 forms a fourth horizontal portion of the
lacrosse stick mesh 700. As shown in FIG. 7, the fourth portion 740
comprises a lacrosse stick mesh in which the string portions of the
lacrosse stick mesh form a plurality of apertures that have an extended
diamond shape in the manner that has been previously described.

[0046]The size of the apertures in the fourth portion 740 of the lacrosse
stick mesh 700 is larger than the size of the apertures in the third
portion 730 of the lacrosse stick mesh 700. In one advantageous
embodiment of the invention, the size of the apertures in the fourth
portion 740 are twice the size of the apertures in the third portion 730.
In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the size of the
apertures in the fourth portion 740 are equal to the size of the
apertures in the second portion 720.

[0047]It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to this
specific example. It is understood that the size of the apertures in the
four portions (710, 720, 730, 740) of the lacrosse stick mesh 700 may be
selected to have other dimensions as well.

[0048]Although the present invention has been described with an exemplary
embodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one
skilled in the art. It is intended that the present invention encompass
such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended
claims.